About the only one that applies to me is #9, 'cause I do know that the book I'm reading (especially if it's one of the bestselling titles) is likely to be on sale next month and the month after-- but I can appreciate the skill with which characters are put in danger and then come out the other side. Getting on a rollercoaster, I know the odds are good I'll get off safe and sound, but I still enjoy the ride.

Matt said:

My girlfriend, like Patrick's, knows by my actions that I'm not "comic book guy".  I know it.  My friends know it.

My partner thinks I am bordering on Comic book guy territory sometimes. She says she is not sure if I am being tongue in cheek or not (I am) when for instance I try to explain to a friends 4 year old daughter all about the three Robins who came first etc etc.

Matt:

"This is certainly where different strokes comes in because I love any Kubert art I can get my hands on, from father to son."

Me:

Well, to be honest, I may take a second look at Batman as I think either of their styles are more suited to that character, but not Superman, in my opinion.

The cover of the last wizard had their versions of both characters, and Superman just didn't "feel" right.  Just not my cup of tea.  I hear Carlos Pacheco is working on Superman with Kurt Busiek, and I just feel he's a better fit for that character, but conversly not so much with Batman.

Joe Zhang wrote: I'd add an 11th indication: when you are afraid to be seen in public reading super hero comics. Or more precisely, when you want to be seen in public reading the "right kind" of comics.

Something I've never been afraid to do.  Every Wednesday I'm sitting on the bus ride home reading what I just bought.  Personally, I don't care what people think about when they see me reading comics.  :)

Question for everyone:

Can you be too old to read comics, but not too old to write them? In other words, you don't read superhero comics in your spare time because they don't really appeal to you much as a reader, but you can still write them on a regular basis?

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby probably didn't read comic books much in their leisure time (way too busy for one, and too much like taking the work home, for two), but man, could they create!

Used in such a manner, you are using the term correctly. A graphic novel is a format. The magazine-sized comics with original art and story are graphic novels. A comic book publication at standard size and format is called a comic, or a comic book.
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Just fopr a quick comparison, consider how many people refer to the works of Charles Dickens.  Many of his stories were originally published in a serialized format in magazines.  Do we nitpick this point though and insist that people call them as such?  If we were to stick with original names, shouldn't we call films and movies by their original name and go with moving pictures the next time we are taking someone out? 

A rose by any other name still does small as sweet, but as soon as we go around insisting someone refer to it differently, we can still begin to take away from the enjoyment simply because it sucks to be nagged.

It has to do with a degree of commitment to a pursuit. Do you know which heroes are in the DC Universe and which ones are in the Marvel Universe? If so, you're not a "civilian" in the comic book hobby -- just as military personnel could probably tell you which ranks apply for which branch of the Armed Forces, a police officer could tell you local regulations, or a big sports fan could tell you which football teams are in which league.

When it comes to sports, I am definitely a civilian and I would not be bothered if someone pointed out this true fact. When I play Star Wars Trivial Pursuit at my house, there are different rules for me and Star Wars civilians. No one takes offense.

John Webb:

(8) You wonder about the sex lives of the creators.

Well JB I worry about you. You need to find a nice girl to help you around the house and stuff

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mmmm...some people don't get the difference between a partner, a lover and a slave....